Implantable sealing device

ABSTRACT

An implantable sealing device is disclosed herein and includes an elongated elastic member having distal and a proximal ends, at least one sealing element including braiding having outside and inside faces. The braiding can include of a plurality of fine threads of a memory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding is coated by a membrane. The braiding can also include a fixing member positioned at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member and being positioned opposite to the braiding.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to EuropeanPatent Application No. EP12008240, filed with the European Patent Officeon Dec. 10, 2012, the content of which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to an implantable sealing device forsealing a tissue opening, more specifically a trocar tube opening in theleft ventricle of the heart.

2. Description of Related Art

Deficient heart valves can be repaired or replaced using a variety ofdifferent types of heart valve surgeries. One general type of heartvalve surgery involves an open-heart surgical procedure during which theheart is stopped and blood flow is controlled by a heart-lung bypassmachine. This type of valve surgery is highly invasive and exposes thepatient to a number of potential risks associated with use of theheart-lung machine.

Due to the drawbacks of open-heart surgical procedures, there has beenan increased interest in minimally invasive and percutaneous replacementof cardiac valves. Such surgical techniques involve making a relativelysmall opening in the chest of the patient into which a valve assembly isinserted and delivered into the heart via the operating device of aso-called trocar tube. The minimally invasive methods include reducedpain due to smaller incisions and less bleeding, shorter recovery time,and, especially, avoid the use of a heart-lung machine.

Minimally invasive surgical procedures such as transcatheter aorticvalve implantation (TAVI) and transapical aortic valve implantation(TAAVI) have become feasible alternatives to open techniques in highrisk patients.

In the TAVI process, the artificial valve is attached to a compressedstent, the stent being attached to a balloon catheter. The ballooncatheter is inserted in the femoral artery and guided into the heart tothe area of the aortic valve. Once in position, the balloon is inflatedto secure the valve in place.

In the TAAVI approach, the replacement valve is inserted through a smallincision in the chest wall of a patient and the catheter is advancedthrough the apex of the heart. Like in the TAVI approach, a ballooncatheter is inserted through an introducer, e.g. a trocar tube andguided into the heart to the area of the aortic valve. After valvedeployment, the trocar tube is removed and the opening in theventricular apex is sutured.

A problem in the transapical procedure is the haemostatic closure of theleft ventricular apex. Frequently, a purse string suture is placed inthe tissue prior to insertion of the trocar tube to facilitate closureafter the procedure is complete. After removing the trocar tube the endsof the suture are drawn tight to close the wound. Due to the highpressure created by the contraction of the heart severe problems mayoccur when the suture is not tight or disrupts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide an improveddevice for sealing a tissue opening, especially a trocar tube opening inthe myocardium after the transapical procedure of valve replacement. Thedevice can not only seals the tissue opening itself, such that theprimary bleeding is stopped, but also prevent secondary bleeding fromoccurring. The tissue opening should be tightly closed. Furthermore, thedevice is filigree and flexible in order to be able to follow themovement of the heart without the occurrence of structural damage suchas e.g. cracks. The beating of the heart and the heart rate of thepatient should not be affected. Due to its filigree construction thebraiding can take the anatomical shape of the apex of the leftventricle, the place where the trocar is introduced.

A further object of the disclosure is to provide the above requireddevice and to simultaneously provide a possibility to place heart wiresin minimally invasive heart surgery procedures.

The sealing device can include a membrane coated braiding of finethreads. Furthermore a tensioning member and a fixing member are presentfor placing and anchoring the sealing device into the myocardium.

In some embodiments, a sealing device according to the presentdisclosure comprises an elongated elastic member having a distal and aproximal end, at least one sealing element in form of an umbrella shapedbraiding having outside and inside faces, the braiding being positionedrespectively at the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member,wherein the braiding includes a plurality of fine threads of a memorymetal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding is coated by amembrane, and a fixing member being positioned respectively at thedistal and proximal ends of the elastic member and being positionedopposite to the braiding.

The braiding may be very soft and flexible in order to avoid injuringthe very soft heart tissue. The braiding is able to follow the movementof the heart. The braiding is adapted to the anatomical shape of theapex of the left ventricle and includes at least 30 fine threads,preferably 30 to 100 threads, more preferably 70 to 90 threads. Thethreads are 0.03 to 0.15 mm in diameter, preferably 0.05 to 0.13 mm indiameter; more preferably circa 0.1 mm in diameter. Due to the number offine threads the device fulfills the requirement of flexibility andsoftness.

The umbrella shaped braiding is preferably made out of Nitinol threadsthus allowing the self-deployment of the membrane coated braidingwhereby the braiding is adapted to the shape of the apex of the leftventricle due to the shape memory properties of Nitinol.

The interaction of the sealing member, the elastic member, and thefixing member allows the immediate closure of the opening in the apex ofthe left ventricle. The immediate closure is beneficial due to the highpressure in the left ventricle created by the contraction of the heartand the strong movement of the heart. The sealing of the trocar tubeopening in the myocardium starts immediately after the placing andfixing of the membrane coated braiding.

A preferred sealing device comprises an elongated elastic member havingdistal a and a proximal end, at least one sealing element in form of anumbrella shaped braiding having outside and inside faces, the braidingbeing positioned respectively at the distal and proximal ends of theelastic member, wherein the braiding includes at least 30 threads madeof Nitinol, said threads being 0.03 to 0.15 mm in diameter and whereinat least one face of the braiding is coated by a membrane, and wherebyin a position in use the braiding is adapted to the anatomical shape ofthe apex of the left ventricle, and a fixing member positionedrespectively at the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member andbeing positioned opposite to the braiding.

At least one membrane coated braiding can be present. When additionalsealing may be necessary a second membrane coated braiding may bepresent positioned opposite to the first membrane coated braiding.

The membrane coated braiding is preferably positioned at the distal endof the elastic member, thus being positioned at the inner side of theopening in the myocardium in the position of use as shown in FIG. 2.

Suitable membranes are made out of biocompatible plastic such as e.g.silicone or polyurethane, preferably silicone. It is important that themembrane is biocompatible and impervious to blood.

The coating is positioned respectively at the outside face or at insideface of the braiding, preferably at the outside face. If desired, bothsides of the braiding may be coated.

The elongated elastic member is a tensioning element and may be a springor a member made from elastic biocompatible material like rubber. Thespring is preferably a coil spring made, for example, from stainlesssteel, MP35N or Nitinol.

The fixing member may be any known fixing member which may be deployedfrom a retracted to an extended position. Preferably the fixing memberincludes radially expandable arms, e.g. a pair of radially expandablearms which extend from the elongated elastic member. The arms are formedfrom a bio-compatible material, such as stainless steel, MP35N orNitinol, preferably Nitinol. The fixing member is operatively associatedwith the elongated elastic member and is mounted for movement between aretracted position wherein the arms are disposed within the interiorlumen of the trocar tube and an extended position wherein the armsextend radially outwardly to anchor the elastic member and thus toanchor the umbrella shaped membrane coated braiding in the myocardiumthus sealing the opening in the myocardium. The radially expandable armsmay be different in shape, whereby the shape may influence the anchoreffect. Before use, the sealing device is folded and is disposed withinthe interior lumen of the trocar tube.

The disclosure further relates to a method for sealing a tissue opening,especially a trocar tube opening in the myocardium at the apex of theleft ventricle comprising inserting a trocar tube including a foldedsealing device as described herein and guiding the trocar tube throughan opening in the myocardium into the patient's left ventricle, pushingthe folded umbrella shaped and membrane coated braiding out of thetrocar tube so that the umbrella moves from a folded into a deployedposition whereas the fixation member remains inside the trocar tube,stretching the elastic member by means of a tensioning cord and pullingthe pre-stretched elastic member out of the opening in the myocardiumwhereby the fixing member is placed against the tissue of the myocardiumand moves from a folded into a deployed position, removing the trocartube whereby the elastic member remains stretched, and removing thetension from the elastic member whereby the fixing member anchors in thetissue of the myocardium.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subjectdisclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the following detailed description taken in conjunction with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosureappertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices andmethods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation,embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below withreference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the transapical valve insertiontechnique;

FIG. 2 shows the sealing device, sealing the inner myocardium;

FIG. 3 show the sealing device, sealing the outer myocardium;

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and in addition shows temporaryelectrodes inserted for heart stimulation;

FIGS. 5 a to 5 d show the placing and the affixing of the stimulationelectrodes;

FIG. 6 shows a stimulation electrode in detail;

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c show the sealing system in detail; and

FIGS. 8, 8 a, 9, 9 a and 10, 10 a, show the steps of placing andaffixing the sealing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like referencenumerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subjectdisclosure. FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of the transapical valveinsertion technique and shows the balloon catheter used to insert newartificial heart valves during Transapical Aortic Valve Implantation(TAAVI) according to the state of the art. Trocar tube 1 is insertedinto the left ventricle 3 of the heart through the myocardium 2. Acompressed valve prosthesis constructed from a stainless steel stentwith an attached artificial valve 4 is placed on the balloon catheter 5,inserted into the apex of the left ventricle, and positioned directlyinside the diseased aortic valve. Once in position, the balloon isinflated to secure the valve in place. The balloon is then deflated andremoved leaving the new valve to function immediately.

FIG. 2 shows the sealing device sealing the opening in the myocardium.Trocar tube 1, via which the sealing device had been inserted, isretracted behind the ventricular apex. The opening in the tissue istightly sealed by the membrane coated braiding 7 which is positioned atthe inner myocardium at the distal end of the elastic member 6. As shownin the embodiment of FIG. 2, the elastic member 6 includes a coilspring. The braiding 7 is adapted to the anatomical shape of the apex ofthe left ventricle.

The flexible braiding 7 tightly closes the inner tissue of the heart andis anchored by the fixing member which is operatively associated withthe coil spring of elastic member 6. The coil spring is stretched bypulling the double thread 9 down. After the placement of the sealingdevice, the thread 9 may be removed by pulling down one side of thethread 9 so that the thread 9 may slip out.

FIG. 3 shows the sealing device sealing the outer myocardium. Thesealing device can be positioned the other way around as described aboveshould the anatomical shape of the left ventricular apex not allowsealing of the inner myocardium. In this case the membrane coatedbraiding 7 is positioned at the outer myocardium.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 and in addition shows temporaryelectrodes (heart wires) inserted for heart stimulation. Heart wires arenormally placed in open heart surgical procedures and are attached tothe epicardium to synchronize the heart after the surgery. Theembodiment according to FIG. 4 provides a possibility to attach heartwires even if the heart is not exposed.

An additional catheter 10 is slipped over the trocar tube 1. Thecatheter 10 is a three-lumen device which comprises a tubular bodydefining a first inner lumen extending longitudinally there-through forslipping the catheter over the trocar tube and a second and third lumen11, 12 which run along each side of the inner lumen allowing temporaryelectrodes to pass therethrough. A Nitinol-stylet 13, which ispreferably pre-shaped, is first inserted within said lumen for assistingin steering of the stimulation electrode when implanted.

FIGS. 5 a to 5 d show insertion of an electrode within the myocardium ofthe heart. A pre-shaped stylet 13 is first inserted within lumen 11 or12 and guided from outside of the heart into and through the myocardium.The tip of the stylet 13 leaves the tissue of the myocardium. A coil 14is then guided over the stylet towards its tip. The stylet 13 is thenwithdrawn and the temporary electrode 15 is inserted via the lumen ofthe coil 14. The proximal portion of electrode 15 is connected to anexternal pacemaker. The stimulating procedure is the same procedure asthe placing of heart wires which are used in open heart surgicalprocedures if it is expected that the patient will need stimulation fora limited time after the surgery. After completion of temporarystimulation the heart wires are removed by pulling.

FIG. 6 shows a stimulation electrode comprising, at its distal end, aloop 16 and a fixing member. The stimulation electrode is inserted bymeans of coil 17.

FIGS. 7 a, 7 b and 7 c show the sealing system in detail. FIG. 7 a is atop view of the umbrella shaped braiding 7. In some embodiments, thebraiding can include about 80 Nitinol threads having a diameter of about0.1 mm. FIG. 7 b is a side view of the sealing device. Coil spring ofelastic member 6 is attached to the braiding 7 at its distal end. Thefixing member 8 is operatively associated with the coil spring at itsproximal end. Loop 73 allows double thread 9 to pass therethrough.Socket 72 may hold the ends of the braiding threads. In unfoldedcondition the braiding 7 can be umbrella shaped or any other suitableshape. The coating is positioned at the outside face 70 or at the insideface 71 of the braiding 7, preferably at the outside face. If desired,both sides of the braiding 7 may be coated. FIG. 7 c shows the braiding7 in the shape adapted to the anatomical shape of the apex of the leftventricle as shown in use in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 8, 9, and 10 show the steps of placing and affixing the sealingsystem. FIG. 8 shows the sealing device positioned inside trocar tube 1before placing the device into the left ventricle. Braiding 7 and fixingmember 8 are folded. The stick 20 is for pushing out the sealing device.The folding may be upwards (FIG. 8) or downwards (FIG. 8 a).

FIGS. 9 and 9 a show the trocar tube placed in the myocardiumfunctioning as a portal for the subsequent placement of the sealingdevice. The braiding 7 is pushed out of the trocar tube 1 and isunfolded. The fixing member 8 is inside the tube 1 and thus stillprotected. FIG. 9 and FIG. 9 a differ in the anatomical shape of theapex of the left ventricle and show the adaption of the shape of thebraiding 7 to the different anatomical shapes.

FIGS. 10 and 10 a show the sealing device placed and the trocar tube 1removed. By pulling double thread 9 downwards coil spring of the elasticmember 6 is pre-stretched. The pre-stretched coil spring is pulleddownwards out of the opening in the myocardium. After removing thetrocar tube 1 whereby the double thread is still stretched the fixingmember 8 moves from a folded into a deployed position and anchors in themyocardium tissue.

While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have beenshown and described with reference to embodiments, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the subjectdisclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An implantable sealing device comprising: a) anelongated elastic member having a distal end and a proximal end; b) atleast one sealing element comprising a braiding including an umbrellashape and having outside and inside faces, the braiding being positionedrespectively at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elasticmember, wherein the braiding includes a plurality of fine threads of amemory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding iscoated by a membrane; and c) a fixing member being positionedrespectively at the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member andbeing positioned opposite to the braiding.
 2. The sealing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the braiding includes at least 30 threadsmade of Nitinol.
 3. The sealing device according to claim 1, whereinsaid threads are about 0.03 mm to about 0.15 mm in diameter
 4. Thesealing device according to claim 1, wherein the braiding is configuredto adapt to an anatomical shape of an apex of a left ventricle when inuse.
 5. The sealing device according to claim 2, wherein the braidingincludes 30 to 100 threads.
 6. The sealing device according to claim 2,wherein the braiding includes about 70 to about 90 threads and whereinthe threads are about 0.05 mm to about 0.13 mm in diameter.
 7. Thesealing device according to claim 2, wherein the braiding includes about70 to about 90 threads and wherein the threads are about 0.1 mm indiameter.
 8. The sealing device according to claim 1, wherein thebraiding is positioned at the distal end of the elastic member.
 9. Thesealing device according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is abiocompatible plastic.
 10. The sealing device according to claim 1,wherein the biocompatible plastic is silicone or polyurethane.
 11. Thesealing device according to claim 1, wherein the outside face of thebraiding is membrane coated.
 12. The sealing device according to claim1, wherein the elastic member is a coil spring.
 13. The sealing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the fixing member includes radiallyexpandable arms.
 14. The sealing device according to claim 1, whereinthe device is folded inside the tube of the trocar.
 15. A method forsealing a tissue opening, especially a trocar tube opening in amyocardium at an apex of a left ventricle comprising the steps of: a)inserting a trocar tube including a folded sealing device and guidingthe trocar tube through an opening in a myocardium into a patient's leftventricle, the sealing device comprising: i) an elongated elastic memberhaving a distal and a proximal end; ii) at least one sealing elementcomprising a braiding extending radially from the elongated elasticmember having outside and inside faces, the braiding being positionedrespectively at one of the distal and proximal ends of the elasticmember, wherein the braiding includes a plurality of fine threads of amemory metal alloy and wherein at least one face of the braiding iscoated by a membrane; and iii) a fixing member being positionedrespectively at the distal and proximal ends of the elastic member andbeing positioned opposite to the braiding; b) pushing the braiding outof the trocar tube so that the umbrella moves from a folded positioninto a deployed position whereas the fixing member remains inside thetrocar tube; c) stretching the elastic member by means of a tensioningcord and pulling the pre-stretched elastic member out of the opening ina myocardium whereby the fixing member is placed against a tissue of amyocardium and moves from a folded position into a deployed position; d)removing the trocar tube whereby the elastic member remains stretched;and e) removing tension from the elastic member whereby the fixingmember anchors in a tissue of a myocardium.
 16. A tissue sealing device,comprising: a) an elongated elastic member having a first end and asecond end; b) a braided sealing member disposed on at least one of thefirst and second ends, the braided sealing member configured to radiallyextend upon release from an insertion device; c) an anchor memberdisposed on the at least one of the first and second ends, the anchormember configured to anchor the elongated member to tissue, wherein theelongated elastic member provides a compressive force between thebraided sealing member and the anchor member such that tissue iscompressed therebetween upon anchoring of the tissue sealing device. 17.The sealing device according to claim 16, wherein the braided sealingmember includes threads of a shape memory material.
 18. The sealingdevice according to claim 17, wherein the threads are about 0.03 mm toabout 0.15 mm in diameter.
 19. The sealing device according to claim 16,wherein the braided sealing member includes an umbrella shape.